Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: Tyrese Maxey rises, Sixers target another guard

Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft — 15. Jaden McDaniels, Orlando Magic

Jaden McDaniels’ effectiveness as a rookie was a bit surprising. The five-star recruit struggled in his one year at UW, leading many to label him as a project entering the draft. The tools were there — 6-foot-9, fluid jumper, mobile — but he was skinny, unproven, and some even questioned his desire to improve.

Flash forward one year, and McDaniels is a big part of what the Wolves are building. In 24.0 minutes per game, he shot a respectable 36.4 percent from deep and became one of the draft’s most impressive defenders. He can stick with guards on the perimeter, use his length to bottle up bigger wings, or sneak in for the occasional weak-side block. He’s already a solid role player, and still possesses the upside that defined him coming out of high school.

The Magic have no shortage of long, athletic players who haven’t taken the “next step” offensively, but McDaniels is a good enough shooter, with enough ball-handling equity to suggest a higher level he can get to. Orlando would have the potential to run some genuinely creative lineup combinations.